SHODDY work forced the closure of Accrington's new Market Way footpath just a day before it was due to be showcased in the annual town centre walk.

Council workers sealed off the path, which runs from Broadway to Peel Street, on Monday after branding it dangerous. The path will now be entirely re-laid.

Councillor Dave Parkins said: "I must have stepped on between 30 and 40 loose flags and they had only just been laid. It was an atrocious mess. It's just a waste of public money and private contractors' money."

The footpath, seen as a vital shoppers' link, is part of the new Market Square development, which is the product of a three-way partnership between developer Helical Retail, main contractor Pochin and sub-contractor R and G Construction.

Mr Nigel Rix, director of the council's regeneration arm, Hyndburn FIRST, told the Observer he had instructed the contractors to fix the problems weeks ago.

He said: "Above all we want to apologise to the shoppers who have experienced problems in Market Way. The council will not tolerate work of this quality and I have made it clear to the developers, their consultants and the architect. But for whatever reason the contractors haven't progressed it. I have to say on behalf of the council that we are very disappointed with the lack of urgency of the contractors and their sub-contractors in remedying the obvious defects in the paving work."

Eddie Bredenhann, Pochin business development manager, said: "At this stage we wouldn't like to make any comment. We are aware of the situation and it's being handled both internally and externally."